Mamma said, "You are what you eat."

… maybe she had a point for you to ponder!

By Gary V Carter

One of the common symptoms of depression is a loss of appetite. It is always difficult to eat when you don't feel like eating. It is always easier to eat something that looks good or tastes good than it is to eat something that is good for you. However, the feelings of depression are only enhanced by not having the correct nutrients available to the body.

Almost everyone realizes that when they have the feeling of a loss of energy, eating something may be the solution. The difficulty of course is that people often eat the wrong thing. A chocolate bar may give you a temporary boost but it does not contain all of the nutrients that your body needs. It is common to hear people say, "I need a coffee!" The reality is that they need much more than coffee.

People who have not paid attention to nutrition during their normal times are even less likely to do so during their depressed times. If you are one of their number, then the challenge for you when you're feeling depressed will be even greater than it is for those who have normally had a good nutritional regime.

Why not ask someone who simply looks more energized and healthier than yourself what they would suggest you eat and then just eat it without evaluating whether or not you like it?

Why not spend a little time studying the impact of the food you normally ingest?

Why not do a test with yourself for a week or two and see if eating more properly makes a difference to your mood?

Why not make a point of eating every meal with someone who has better judgment than you do on what and when to eat?

Simple changes every day can make a significant difference in your mood. If you have a craving for something that is not the best for you just tell yourself, "I don't need to eat that just now. Maybe I'll eat it later." In this way you can postpone the number of less effective eating events in your life.

You don't need to change everything at once. It is particularly difficult to do so when you are depressed. But you can make small changes in a more positive direction. One little change may lead to another little change and sooner than you may think your mood of depression may start to lift.